Police investigating similar robberies

John Pirro

Updated 11:24 pm, Wednesday, February 13, 2013

DANBURY -- Police late Wednesday were investigating two robberies, one in which a handgun was shoved into the neck of the victim, that occurred less than one hour and less than a mile apart.

Three suspects are being sought in each case, but Lt. Shaun McColgan said it was too early to say whether the holdups were related, or whether one or both may be connected to another robbery in the same area that was reported some 24 hours earlier.

The first robbery on Wednesday took place on Lincoln Street about 7:40 p.m. A young woman in her 20s said she was walking home when two men came up behind her. One of the robbers threw snow in her face and grabbed her cellphone, while his accomplice attempted to steal her purse.

McColgan said the victim held on to the purse, and the two suspects, described as Hispanic males in their 20s, jumped into a silver car driven by a third person and drove off.

Some 50 minutes later, a couple in the late 30s was walking on William Street toward George Street, when they encountered one black male and two white males standing on the street corner.

The black male shoved a handgun into the male victim's neck and demanded his wallet. The three also took the woman's purse and fled in a black car.

McColgan said patrol officers and detectives were looking for the suspects late Wednesday, but as of 10 p.m. none had been located.

The robberies occurred not far from the spot where a 57-year-old woman was mugged by two men after leaving a West Street hair salon Tuesday evening.

The victim told police she was leaving Dawn's Pizzazz just before 8 p.m. when a man grabbed her from behind and put a hand over her mouth so she couldn't call for help. His accomplice grabbed her purse, then the first man threw her to the ground, police said.

The woman described both suspects as Hispanic males in their 20s. The pair fled with the purse, which contained less than $20 cash, a cellphone and personal papers.

Police were on the scene in minutes, but a sweep of the area with a police dog came up empty.